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CommentsDisplaying tmarends's 10 most recent comments.

• Is Gay Behavior a Sin? This Is Where the American People Stand on the Morality of Homosexuality

  January 12, 2013 at 6:28pm

  In reply to JEANNIEMAC.

  Because of what? You’re quoting a verse that starts with “Because of this”… so I want to know because of what?? What happened PRIOR to those words that caused what happened AFTER?? Do you even know??

• Is Gay Behavior a Sin? This Is Where the American People Stand on the Morality of Homosexuality

  January 12, 2013 at 12:21pm

  In reply to Depat.

  The problem with you statement is that abomination and sin are not interchangeable terms. Abomination, as used in the Bible, is a cultural taboo. For example, according to the book of Exodus, it was an abomination to the Egyptians if they were to share a meal with the Hebrews. However, it was NOT an abomination to the Hebrews. Every place abomination appears in the Bible it is a cultural thing, not a sin.

• Is Gay Behavior a Sin? This Is Where the American People Stand on the Morality of Homosexuality

  January 12, 2013 at 12:18pm

  In reply to Gatrfanzz.

  Alan Chambers, the CEO of Exodus Intl, said last year that 99% of homosexuals will not see a change in their orientation.

  In Romans 1, Paul writes about idol worshipers who engaged in same-gender sexual relations as part of the worship. This was common in both Greece and Rome in the worship to false idols… it was also common to the Egyptians and Canaanites during Moses’ time.

• Is Gay Behavior a Sin? This Is Where the American People Stand on the Morality of Homosexuality

  January 12, 2013 at 12:10pm

  In reply to Elisheva.

  What your Bible translates as “those who practice homosexuality” is in the original Greek “Arsenokoitai”. “Arsenokoitai” is only found 2 places in the Bible, and in both places is in a list, so there is no context as to what the word truly means. “Arsenokoitai” is made up of two parts: “arsen” means “man”; “koitai” means “beds.” Literally it could be translated as male beds, or man- bedders. This particular word is not used anywhere in Greek Literature until some 200 years after Paul when it apparently means “pederast”, a corrupter of boys, and again in the sixth century (another 400 years) when it is used for husbands practicing anal intercourse with their wives. These two interpretations of the word come from the context of which it is placed… something we cannot do in 1 Corinthians. If Paul had wanted to use homosexuals or homosexuality in these lists he would have used one of the common Greek words for male/male sexual behaviour, like “paiderasste.”

  When Martin Luther translated this verse into German (1500s) he used the second century definition, and used what we would call “pedophiles” today. Pedophiles are not necessarily homosexual. Recent studies show that the majority of pedophiles, some 90%, are heterosexual.

  Taking this history into account, there is no justification to translate “Arsenokoitai” as “homosexuals” or anything to do with homosexuality.

• Is Gay Behavior a Sin? This Is Where the American People Stand on the Morality of Homosexuality

  January 12, 2013 at 12:05pm

  In reply to nilo.

  Just where does God say it’s a sin? In the 10 commandments given to Moses? No… it’s not there. Oh, Leviticus… No, that was written for Hebrew priests, from the tribe of Levi, and not for the entire Hebrew population — which was given in Deuteronomy.

  So in the NT, we have Paul’s writings… nothing directly from God or Jesus. And in Romans 1 Paul writes about those nasty idol worshipers who engage in same-gender sexual relations… but then calls out the Jewish readers in chapter 2 with a rebuke for judging the Gentiles of Rome.

  Which leaves 1 Corinthians & 1 Timothy. However, the word Paul uses in these verses seems to come from the Greek translation of Leviticus — which was written for Hebrew priests from the tribe of Levi… So, where does that leave us? Not one place in the entire Bible where God calls it a sin. Hmmm

• Is Gay Behavior a Sin? This Is Where the American People Stand on the Morality of Homosexuality

  January 12, 2013 at 11:56am

  In reply to WCARNLEY.

  The problem in your verses start with “Wherefore”… which indicates that what follows is based on what proceeded. So, what proceeds these verses you quote?

  Romans 1: 21-23

  21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

  22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

  23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

  So, the people being talked about in the verses you quote were worshiping idols to false gods. This is the CONTEXT of the entire passage.

• Is Gay Behavior a Sin? This Is Where the American People Stand on the Morality of Homosexuality

  January 12, 2013 at 11:50am

  In reply to glassbeadlady.

  So what happened prior to this that God allowed this to happen. The verse you quote starts with “Therefore”, which implies that what happened in previous verses led to the outcome in the following verses. So, what happened??

  Romans 1:21-23

  21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

  So, according to the Bible, they were worshiping idols — statues made to represent false gods. It’s amazing how the whole thing changes when you read the full context. Unless, of course, you mean to call every gay person on the planet an idolater…

• Is Gay Behavior a Sin? This Is Where the American People Stand on the Morality of Homosexuality

  January 12, 2013 at 11:34am

  In reply to Beckaj.

  Sounds like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time… so busy saying “at least I’m not a sinner like THAT person”… all the while ignoring their own sins.

  Christ gave us two commands: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind
  & Love your neighbor as yourself.

  Many people who claim to “love” homosexuals, just not their “sin”, would be appalled if they were treated the way they themselves treat homosexuals out of “love”.

• Is Gay Behavior a Sin? This Is Where the American People Stand on the Morality of Homosexuality

  January 12, 2013 at 11:23am

  In reply to mecanic.

  Abomination is a cultural taboo. Every place it is used in the Bible is cultural. For example: It was an abomination (cultural taboo) to the Egyptians if they were to share a meal with the Hebrews — this is in Exodus. Notice, it wasn’t an abomination for the Hebrews, just the Egyptians.

  When people spout out “abomination” like it’s the worst sin ever, just shows their ignorance of the Bible.

• Pennsylvania Republican Lawmaker Announces He Is Gay — Becomes First Openly Gay State Rep.

  December 6, 2012 at 1:09am

  In reply to krayhayft.

  @tootsie roll — You do realize that the verses you cited were written by Paul, and not Jesus… in fact, they aren’t evey quoting Jesus, like the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do.

  It is constantly apparent that most of the Christians here have not followed Glenn Beck’s advice of going to the original source… and constantly rely on translations, often faulty. When reading the Bible in Hebrew and Greek you learn so much more.